Outer Banks fans have seen JJ Maybank (Rudy Pankow) and Kiara Carrera (Madison Bailey) grow from best friends to so much more.
The hit Netflix series, which debuted in 2020, is focused on a group of teenagers who accidentally find themselves at the center of a dangerous treasure hunt.
When JJ and Kiara’s close bond was introduced during the first two seasons, fans were quick to point out the chemistry between the couple. Ahead of season 3, creator Josh Pate confirmed that JJ and Kiara will be “the big romance” of the season.
“Later on in the season, almost a whole episode is devoted to that relationship. It was a big card we really wanted to play and make it a big thing,” he shared with Entertainment Weekly in February 2023, noting that “internal struggles” would create issues for the pair.
He added, “So it won’t be like a romantic rival [coming between them], at least not for a while, but more like JJ’s demons and how is he going to deal with his traumatized past and settle into something that’s healthy without being self-destructive.”
Scroll down to relive JJ and Kiara’s unexpected romance:
